Local News

Amanda Grantham, chief public defender for Georgia’s Northern Judicial Circuit, analyzes case files at a Starbucks in Athens late last month. After a full day in court, Grantham works late into the evening, preparing for her clients’ hearings. (Gabrielle Gruszynski/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Amanda Grantham, chief public defender for Georgia’s Northern Judicial Circuit, analyzes case files at a Starbucks in Athens late last month. After a full day in court, Grantham works late into the evening, preparing for her clients’ hearings. (Gabrielle Gruszynski/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Public defender champions justice in Northern District

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Amanda Grantham, chief public defender for Georgia’s Northern Judicial Circuit, likes to challenge the rule makers.  “I always question the authority, like, who’s making the rules,” she said. “And, what’s the purpose behind it?
Oglethorpe County Board of Education members Beverley Levine, left, and Susan Robinson prepare for the board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2. The two discussed upcoming agenda items as they prepared for the meeting to begin. (Photo/Ella Jones)

Oglethorpe County Board of Education members Beverley Levine, left, and Susan Robinson prepare for the board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2. The two discussed upcoming agenda items as they prepared for the meeting to begin. (Photo/Ella Jones)

BOE revises its policies to match state

Ella Jones
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously approved several policy revisions at its Tuesday meeting to bring the school system in line with new state requirements, including rules on personal electronic devices, internet use and athletic eligibility.
OCHS juniors Mya Jewell and Isabel Rios laugh as they create the decorations for homecoming week on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. For many on the council, the decorations are their favorite part of festivities.(Photo/Drew Bearden)

OCHS juniors Mya Jewell and Isabel Rios laugh as they create the decorations for homecoming week on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. For many on the council, the decorations are their favorite part of festivities.(Photo/Drew Bearden)

Excitement builds as OCHS prepares for homecoming

Drew Bearden
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Oglethorpe County High School students, faculty and community members are celebrating homecoming this week under the sea, with five days of spirited themes, a parade in downtown Crawford on Thursday, a possible third football win and a Saturday night dance.
TRISHA BEARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO The 2025 OCHS homecoming court includes (back, from left): Natreze Calhoun, Kayden Watkins, Tanner McKie, Dalton Hilley, O’Maury Huggs, Kendon Brown, Riley Jones, Cameron Harper, Kaden McDaris; (front, from left): Isabel Rios, Macayla Hull, Mackenzie Brown, Peyton Lewis, Elin Turner, Carlie Gabriel, Callie Bridges, Kiley Paul. Not pictured: Brock Barrett. The homecoming parade is scheduled for Sept. 4 and the game against Laney will be played Sept. 5.

TRISHA BEARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO The 2025 OCHS homecoming court includes (back, from left): Natreze Calhoun, Kayden Watkins, Tanner McKie, Dalton Hilley, O’Maury Huggs, Kendon Brown, Riley Jones, Cameron Harper, Kaden McDaris; (front, from left): Isabel Rios, Macayla Hull, Mackenzie Brown, Peyton Lewis, Elin Turner, Carlie Gabriel, Callie Bridges, Kiley Paul. Not pictured: Brock Barrett. The homecoming parade is scheduled for Sept. 4 and the game against Laney will be played Sept. 5.

2025 Homecoming Court

News Staff
Saturday, August 30, 2025
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Editorial: Echo welcomes new reporters

News Staff
Friday, August 29, 2025
Jazz artist Dinah Washington sang, “What a difference a day makes.” In the story of your community newspaper’s history, we amend that line to say, “What a difference 1,427 days make.” That’s right. On Oct. 1, 2021, The Oglethorpe Echo was destined to die.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

News Roundup: GATE users asked to update info

News Staff
Friday, August 29, 2025
Those who participate in the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program are asked to update their contact information by Aug. 31 to ensure delivery of the new GATE cards. The GATE Program enables Georgia producers to purchase certain items for use on the farm tax free.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

News Roundup: Dove season to start Sept. 6

News Staff
Friday, August 29, 2025
Dove season will start on Sept. 6. There are three dove windows this year: The first is Sept. 6 through Oct. 12, the second is Nov. 22-30 and the third is Dec. 19-Jan. 31. Statewide shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. The bag limit is 15 per day.
Tracy Adkins, author of Ghosts of Athens and Beyond: History and Haunting of North Georgia, poses for a photo. The book, set in North Georgia, marks her second publication. (Photo/Molly Moore)

Tracy Adkins, author of Ghosts of Athens and Beyond: History and Haunting of North Georgia, poses for a photo. The book, set in North Georgia, marks her second publication. (Photo/Molly Moore)

Oglethorpe’s rich history hides ghostly secrets

Molly Moore
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Generations of Oglethorpe County residents have tales of unexplainable sounds, spectral figures and folklore tied to the many historic landmarks in the area.
Hairy Dawg greets members of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center at their UGA tailgate party on Friday. The center also welcomed the UGA Dance Dawgs and cheerleaders. (Hannah Freeman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hairy Dawg greets members of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center at their UGA tailgate party on Friday. The center also welcomed the UGA Dance Dawgs and cheerleaders. (Hannah Freeman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hairy Dawg helps fire up seniors at center

Hannah Freeman
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Senior Center has no shortage of Georgia Bulldogs fans — as Hairy Dawg himself can testify.  About 60 seniors showed out in a sea of red and black to celebrate the upcoming football season with a special tailgate party on Aug. 22.